CH-1
Centre Handbook for Security
Industry Qualifications
Trident is a partnership between three national Awarding Organisations, working specifically to meet the needs
of the security industry
Centre Guidance for Private Security Industry Qualifications
CONTENT
1. Introduction
2. Centre Recognition
3. Qualification Registration
4. Training and Assessment Accommodation
5. Specific Venue / Accommodation Requirements
6. Trainer and Assessor Approval Guidance
7. Partnership Arrangements
8. Administration, Examinations and Record Requirements
9. Malpractice and Maladministration
10.Candidate support and Language Requirements
11.Quality Assurance
The flowchart outlines the process for centres wanting to offer security industry licence to practice
and general qualifications will go through the following process.
Centre initial application
for recognition
Qualification applications with
trainer nomination forms
Initial centre application
completed and feedback
provided by Trident
Centre registered and provided with
Customer support team and web
portal user name and Password
Quality review
arrangements identified
Centre and qualification approval
registered so centre can order
examination papers and prepare
candidates for registration
Candidate registrations checked,
exam papers stored safely, full
procedure for licence linked units
followed (ID, photos & signatures)
Centres return exam papers for
marking, signed RAC submitted and
results uploaded (SIA returns made)
Qualification certificates issued
1. Introduction
Welcome to this Centre Guide which has been designed to help you understand our Awarding
Organisation systems and processes for use with the Security Industry Authority (SIA) licence linked
qualifications and general qualifications listed on the Qualifications Credit Framework (QCF).
To use these qualifications you will need to show that your organisation can meet our normal quality
assurance requirements and demonstrate that it has a robust system for internal quality assurance and
there is a named point of accountability for the quality assurance and management of the licenced
linked qualifications. Our staff will work with you to ensure that your systems are in place and
operating effectively.
The administration of the qualifications is simple and straightforward once you are a recognised centre
and approved to run the qualifications. The necessary forms for centre and learner information will
then be produced to support subsequent claims for the award of credit and the production of
certificates for your learners. Access to our secure web portal for administration and guidance
documents will be arranged.
A Business Development Manager will be assigned to your organisation and they will support you
throughout the recognition process and will remain as your contact once the recognition process is
complete. You will also be allocated a Quality Reviewer who will regularly monitor your organisation
and will report on your on-going compliance with the terms and conditions of the Centre Recognition
agreement.
2. Centre Recognition
Centre recognition is an agreement made between you, as the centre and the Awarding Organisation,
Laser Learning Awards in the Trident partnership. It states the requirements to which your
organisation must commit in relation to training provision, quality and administration. The agreement
sets out the terms and conditions for recognition of a centre and the obligations on the centre when
using QCF regulated qualifications. It provides us with details about the centre, its structure and staff.
The agreement is a fundamental part of our obligations to the relevant external regulators.
2.1 Centre Recognition: Policies and Procedures
The Centre Recognition Agreement requires that the centre has in place the following policies and
procedures, to support their quality systems:
 Equality and Diversity Policy
 Health and Safety Policy
 Disability Discrimination Policy
 Data Protection Policy
 Policy on Checking for Criminal Records
 Access to Fair Assessment Statement
 Policy for Allowing Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
 Quality Policy
 Internal Verification Policy
 Malpractice / Maladministration and Plagiarism Procedure
 Appeals Procedure for Candidates
 Complaints Procedure
The Trident Awards website provides guidance on drafting policies to support centre recognition and
we can provide further support to help develop these policies if required. However, it is the
responsibility of the centre to develop policies and procedures that reflect their operating
circumstances and extent of the qualification offer.
To be able to offer qualifications the centre must complete the separate Centre Recognition application
form (CR1) and provide supporting evidence. Guidance on the type of evidence that can be submitted
is noted on the form and where supporting documents are required please provide a corresponding
reference number on the form. For example, “please see our Procedure for Candidates (ref: number
inserted).” The associated supporting evidence to be presented in the order it is listed in the
application form. The statement boxes on the application form will expand as appropriate.
It is recommended that when applying for Centre Recognition you also complete the necessary
qualification and trainer/assessor registration forms. These request information that is specific to the
successful delivery and assessment of each qualification and must be completed before any associated
delivery is undertaken. Please see individual qualification guides for specific details.
3. Qualification Registration
3.1 Each qualification has a detailed guide setting out everything a centre needs to know including:
 Who the qualification is intended for and specific candidate requirements such as security and
identity checks, language requirements, etc.
 Qualification content and the units to be undertaken
 Qualification assessment and managing examinations
 Specific guidance on trainer and accommodation requirements for the qualification
 Quality assurance by the Centre and by the Awarding Organisation
3.2 Centres are required to complete an application form with the appropriate supporting documents for
each qualification well in advance of any associated promotion or delivery of training. It is
recommended this done at the same time as the centre recognition process but additional
qualifications and or trainers can be added by a centre at a later stage.
4. Training and Assessment Accommodation
4.1 Training and assessment rooms need to be formally assessed to ensure they are suitable and meet the
Regulator’s requirements. This includes all rooms where training and examinations are to take place
either on the centre’s own premises or external premises. Once centre recognition has been granted
the centre then has the responsibility for assessing all rooms to be used for training and examinations
without further approval from the Awarding Organisation except for CCTV practical assessment rooms
and on-line assessment rooms which need to be approved and registered separately.
4.2 The room assessment must be undertaken by the centre in advance of the training to allow for an
alternative venue to be found if the original room is deemed unsuitable. A room checklist (CR2 form)
must be completed for each room assessment to confirm the suitability of the accommodation and
record any action to be taken where the accommodation does not fully meet the specified criteria.
4.3 The completed checklist needs to be stored on the centre’s premises and available to the Awarding
Organisation on request. If the training is taking place off the main site the trainer must keep a copy of
the checklist with them when delivering the course to present to the Quality Reviewer should they
attend the venue unannounced. It is important that centres are aware that any false or misleading
statements in respect of examination venues may result in immediate suspension or withdrawal of
Centre Recognition and examination papers may be declared void.
5 Specific Venue / Accommodation Requirements
5.1 All general teaching and examination accommodation must provide access for all candidates in
accordance with relevant legislation including without limitation the Disability Discrimination Act and
health and safety. The centre needs to ensure the environment is appropriate and conducive to the
teaching and learning taking place with adequate teaching aids and resources.
5.2 Physical Intervention
Where a qualification includes the physical intervention unit the centre will need to ensure sure the
room used for training is large enough for the number of learners and is not cluttered with furniture
and other obstacles. As a guide there should be an unobstructed area of approximately 2 x 2 metres
per person, including the trainer, which gives the necessary space for movement and activity. Any
room that has furniture stacked in it should have a metre’s safety area between it and the practice
area. Whilst the length and width of rooms will vary, there should be no less than four metres in either
length or width. With regard to ‘L’ shaped rooms, it is important that the trainer should have a clear
sight of learners practicing at all times. If the room to be used does not meet these specifications, the
number of learners must be reduced accordingly or a suitable alternative found before training
commences.
5.3 CCTV Practical Rooms
For CCTV practical skills training and assessment, candidates should have access to a CCTV Public Space
Surveillance (PSS) control room environment. This may be provided by a simulated control room with
operational CCTV (PSS) equipment or by access to a live environment where there is space for training
and assessment. In either case, sufficient equipment must be available that allows candidates to
demonstrate competence against ALL of the practical skills activities. Equipment should be positioned
in such a way as to provide continuity when a person is being tracked/followed.
It is the responsibility of the approved Centre to ensure that the required permission has been obtained
for candidates to enter an operational CCTV control room.
5.4 On-line Assessment
Centres wishing to take up this option for candidate assessment will need to meet the technical
requirements for IT equipment and ensure sufficient staff are trained to provide the required level of
support for administration and invigilation. The centre application will need to confirm the minimum
specifications are matched and provide a layout of each room in which the on-line examinations will
take place. This includes ensuring:
 Adequate accommodation and facilities available for the exclusive use of the candidates during the
time of the examination
 The room layout is planned to prevent screens being read by other candidates
 Screens are at last 1.5m apart (which is measured from the middle of each screen to the next
nearest)
 A trained administrator is available during the examination
6. Trainer and Assessor Approval Guidance
6.1 Trainers and Assessors are not pre-approved and have to go through an approval process in connection
with a recognised centre. This can be completed at the same time a centre is applying for recognition
or when a centre wants to add a new trainer and or qualification. The trainer will need to complete
and sign an Occupational Competency form (OC1) which will then be submitted to the Awarding
Organisation via the recognised centre.
6.2 The trainer will need to demonstrate a minimum of three years experience of the sector within the last
ten years through one of the following three routes:
 Evidence that demonstrates direct experience of working in the private security industry in the
sector for which application is being made
 Training in the sector, including via other awarding organisations, quoting dates and the name and
address of the employer / training provider
 Evidence that demonstrates direct experience of working in a role that can be mapped to the
requirements of the private security industry ion the sector for which application is being made
 Evidence of continuous professional development (CPD)
7. Partnership Arrangement
7.1 Centres approved to deliver the security qualifications and working in a partnership arrangement with
another organisation must clearly document the roles, responsibilities and accountabilities of each
partner in relation to the assessment, quality assurance and administration of the qualification and
clear lines of communication must be in place. Full details must be made available to the Awarding
Organisation and the Quality Reviewer on request.
8. Administration, Examinations and Record Requirements
8.1 Centres must have administrative systems that will enable regulatory requirements to be met
promptly, accurately and securely. This specifically includes the recording of candidate training,
examinations and achievements, the retention of candidate photographs and signatures, for a period of
three years in case of enquiry relating to candidate identity and licence linked qualifications. Please
refer to the Candidate Information Sheet and guidance on completing this documentation for details on
checking the identity of a candidate and acceptable forms of evidence to confirm identity.
8.2 All QCF qualification candidates should be registered with a Unique Learner Number (ULN) which is
given to the candidate through the Learner Register which operated through the Learner Registration
Service (LRS). The LRS is a web based service capable of providing a Unique Learner Number for
everyone in education and training aged 14 and over. This allows learners to build a lifelong record of
the learning and participation and achievements (through their Learning Record). Further information
on the ULN can be found at http://www.learningrecordsservice.org.uk/
8.3 Information about access to the Trident secure web portal is supplied once the centre is recognised and
staff registered. The web portal enables each centre to securely access administrative information,
order examination papers, track registrations, assessment information and results leading to
certification.
8.4 Full guidance on preparing candidates for examinations, and administering all aspects of examinations
is supplied once a centre is recognised and registered.
9. Malpractice and Maladministration
9.1 As part of the regulatory requirements for qualifications, recognised centres are required to have in
place a policy statement and procedure for dealing with actual or suspected malpractice/
maladministration by centre staff and or candidates. The policy should be written in plain language and
communicated to candidates as well as all staff involved in the management, delivery and
administration of qualifications.
9.2 The policy needs to provide clear information about what is defined as malpractice and
maladministration, how staff or candidates should report it and to whom, the process to follow, and
the centre’s procedure for dealing with reports. It is also important to ensure there is clarity about the
likely consequences for those involved, including the possible withdrawal of results and certification
Examples of possible malpractice and maladministration:
 Providing learners with assistance during examinations, such as explaining questions or suggesting
answers
 Assisting learners in the production of work for assessment, where the support has the potential to
influence the outcomes of assessment, and/or where the assistance involves centre staff producing
work for the learner i.e. CCTV practical assessment
 Facilitating and allowing impersonation
 Misusing the conditions for special assessment arrangements, for example where learners are
permitted support.
 Falsifying records or certificates, for example by alteration, substitution, or by fraud
 Fraudulent certificate claims, that is claiming for a certificate prior to the learner completing any or
all of the requirements of assessment
 Failing to keep assessment materials and examination papers secure prior to the assessment or
examination
 Altering or forging any assessment or examination documentation
 Failing to abide by regulatory requirements for the conduct and management of examinations
 Failure to establish candidate identity prior to assessment, in line with the SIA’s published
procedure
9.3 Further information and guidance is provided on the Trident web site and centres need to be aware
that any malpractice or maladministration must be reported to the Awarding Organisation and
investigated.
10. Candidate support and language requirements
10.1 Centres must have procedures in place for establishing each candidate’s competence in the use of the
English language (oral and written), and arrangements for providing additional support where it is
identified that this is required.
10.2 Centre must have procedures in place to ensure candidates have met all entry requirements for
specific qualifications as described in the individual qualification guides. This could include rigorous
candidate identity checks and meeting SIA requirements.
10.3 The policy on assessment is to give all learners equal access and opportunity to fair assessment. This
includes ensuring that arrangements are made to take account of particular requirements without
giving unfair advantage over other candidates. Further guidance regarding reasonable adjustments
and special considerations is contained within the Laser Access to Fair Assessment Policy and
Procedure and specific guidance on examinations on the Trident web site.
11. Quality Assurance
11.1 All centres wishing to deliver QCF security licence linked qualifications, or units of a qualification, will
need to demonstrate the ability to manage and deliver the units and/or the qualification, including
adherence to quality assurance and assessment regulations.
11.2 External Quality Review
Quality Reviewers will be appointed by the Awarding Organisation and will be conversant with the
subject area and the assessment requirements for the qualification.
11.3 The role of the Quality Reviewer includes the following:
 Audit of the Centre Recognition process.
 Sampling of centres and their delivery and assessment facilities and practice.
 Monitoring internal quality systems and the sampling of assessment outcomes and recording.
 Ensuring that the assessment centre processes operate satisfactorily.
 Acting as a source of advice and support.
 Promoting best practice.
11.4 Key responsibilities of the Quality Reviewer:
 Ensuring compliance with the qualification specification and assessment requirements.
 Ensuring recognised centre procedures are followed.
 Assessing the quality of the learner experience.
 Scrutinising internal monitoring activity.
 Reporting to the Awarding Organisation on the outcomes of external scrutiny in relation to the
operation of the marking scheme and the maintenance of standards.
 Verifying achievement for unit and qualification certification.
11.5 Centre recognition and continuing compliance
The Quality Reviewer will review the Centre against the conditions for Recognition and sample a range
of approved centres to ensure continuing compliance with the regulatory requirements for the
delivery and assessment of the qualifications.
11.6 Internal Quality Assurance
Each centre has to have in place an effective internal quality assurance system to ensure assessment
practices and decisions are regularly reviewed and evaluated to confirm the validity of the award of
credit. These will be monitored and reported on by the Quality Reviewer
11.7 Internal Verification arrangements must include as a minimum:
 An identified individual responsible for co-ordinating the internal verification process.
 A planned structure for Internal Verification that incorporates all of a centre’s provision.
 An agreed and published annual timetable for internal verification, including internal
verification meetings.
 Clear and documented roles and responsibilities for all those involved.
 A forum for discussion of borderline cases and good practice in assessment.
 Sampling of assessment tasks and assessed work.
 Standardisation of assessed work.
 Full and clear records and action plans.
 Regular evaluation of the process.
11.8 The Awarding Organisation will monitor and report on the operation of the licence linked examination
administrative and assessment processes and marking procedures through a process of verification.
This will include sampling a selection of training courses leading to the qualification to ensure that
trainer authenticity, assessment and marking procedures and completion of paperwork conform to
agreed standards. A report will be produced by a designated Verifier and any discrepancies recorded
and scrutinised as part of the quality review process by the Awarding Organisation.